JEFFERSON CITY - A new Chick-Fil-A restaurant opened its doors Thursday morning in Jefferson City.

The new location is the 28th Chick-Fil-A in Missouri, but the only one in Mid-Missouri. It opened at 6:30 a.m.Thursday.

Prior to the opening, the restauant rewarded the first 100 Missourians who showed up with a free chicken sandwich once a week for an entire year.

By 2:00 pm on Wednesday, there were 75 people in line waiting for the free sandwich. All 100 registered by signing paperwork stating they would not leave the restaurant while waiting. If they did leave, there were ten alternates waiting to take their spot.

There are 1,780 Chick-Fil-A locations across the United States, according to Chick-Fil-A public relations director Lindsay Ables.